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Professional bodies in the Americas

11 Feb 2015

Membership of certain professional bodies around the world can provide a streamlined route to RICS membership.

For example, some professional body memberships allow you to join us direct, while some others may exempt you from the need for a bachelor's degree. Visit the relevant page from the list below to view professional bodies in your world region.

Are you a full member of a recognised professional body in your own country or abroad? If so, you may be eligible for Direct Entry.

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Direct Entry - Americas

Please note: You must fulfill all the necessary requirements in addition to holding the direct entry designation that we recognize. Simply holding the designation does not necessarily qualify you for direct entry to membership.

Pathway Guides

Find out more about qualifying as an RICS member through your chosen pathway:

If you’re a fully accredited member of AIC at the senior grade AACI you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

You must have 10 years’ relevant experience since gaining the AACI designation, be in a senior industry position (confirmed by an RICS review panel on the basis of a résumé) and have current CPD records meeting RICS requirements.

AssocRICS

If you’re AACI you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Valuation pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises the AACI designation as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The AACI designation is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

Association of Canada Land Surveyors (ACLS)

AssocRICS

If you’re a Full Member of ACLS you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Land and Land Engineering/Surveying pathways. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

The Full Member grade of ACLS is approved for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators (CICBV)

MRICS

If you have the Chartered Business Valuer (CBV, also known as ‘experts en evaluation d’enterprises’) designation of CICBV you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

You must have an undergraduate degree and five years’ relevant experience since gaining the CBV designation.

AssocRICS

If you have the CBV designation you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Valuation pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises the CBV designation as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The CBV designation is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

Professional Surveyors Canada (PSC)

AssocRICS

If you’re Full Member of PSC you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Land or Land Engineering/Surveying pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

The Full Member grade of PSC is approved for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE)

RICS Routes to Membership

The Full Member grade of CCPE is approved for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

Canadian Institution of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)

MRICS

If you have the designation PQS or ECA and 10 years’ full membership of CIQS, five of which must be at the PQS / ECA designation, you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

AssocRICS

If you have the designation CEC/ECC or PQS/ECA and full membership of CIQS you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Quantity Surveying & Construction pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises the PQS/ECA designation as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The PQS/ECA designation is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

USA

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

RICS Routes to Membership

The Full Member grade of AICPA is approved for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

American Institute of Constructors (AIC)

AssocRICS

If you’re a Full Member of AIC you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Quantity Surveying & Construction pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

AIC is an approved professional body for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

American Society of Appraisers (ASA)

MRICS

If you’re a Full Member of ASA with 10 years’ full membership, of which five years are since qualifying for the credential Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) or Fellow Accredited Senior Appraiser (FASA) you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

AssocRICS

If you’re a Full Member of ASA you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Valuation pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises the Full Member grade of ASA as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The Full Member grade of ASA is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA)

MRICS

If you’re a Full Member of ASFMRA with 10 years’ full membership, including five years since qualifying for the professional credential Accredited Farm Manager (AFM), Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA), Accredited Real Property Appraiser (ARPA) or Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC) you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

AssocRICS

If you’re a Full Member of ASFMRA with the professional credential AFM, ARA, APRA or AAC you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Land or Valuation pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises full membership of ASFMRA with any of the credentials named above as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

Full membership of ASFMRA with any of the credentials named above is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

If you’re a Full Member of AI at the senior grade MAI with 10 years’ relevant experience you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

You must be in a senior position (confirmed by an RICS review panel on the basis of a résumé) and have current CPD records meeting RICS requirements.

AssocRICS

If you’re MAI you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Valuation pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises the MAI designation as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The MAI designation is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACEI)

MRICS

If you’re a Full Member of AACEI with the certification Certified Cost Controller (CCC) or Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) or Certified Cost Professional (CCP) and 10 years’ relevant experience, of which five years must be at the certified grade, and a relevant undergraduate degree you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

CCIM Institute

MRICS

If you hold the ‘Certified Commercial Investment Member’ designation you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

You must have 10 years’ relevant experience, be in a senior position (confirmed by an RICS review panel on the basis of a résumé) and have current CPD records meeting RICS requirements.

AssocRICS

If you hold the CCIM designation you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Commercial Property Management pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises the CCIM designation as equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The CCIM designation is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.

Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFAI)

RICS Routes to Membership

The CFAI designation is approved for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

Counselors of Real Estate (CRE)

FRICS

If you’re a Full Member of CRE you’re eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS at the Fellowship grade.

International Facility Management Association (IFMA)

MRICS

If you hold the IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential you are eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

Project Management Institute (PMI)

AssocRICS

If you hold the PMI’s PMP certification you’re eligible for direct entry to AssocRICS in the Project Management pathway.

You must successfully complete the RICS online ethics module and provide a résumé detailing relevant experience. This will be reviewed by RICS staff. You must also name two referees who may be contacted to confirm the experience.

Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR)

AssocRICS

If you’re a Full Member of the SIOR you’re eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Commercial Property Management and Real Estate Agency pathways. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

The Full Member grade of SIOR is approved for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the Senior Professional Assessment.

The Appraisal Foundation

MRICS

If you hold a currently valid certification by the appropriate licensing authority of any State or government entity in the United States, in conformity with the rules set forth by the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation, as either a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser (CRRPA) or a Certified General Real Property Appraiser (CGRPA) you're eligible for direct entry to Professional membership of RICS.

You must have 10 years’ relevant work experience, an undergraduate degree, be in a senior industry position (confirmed by an RICS review panel on the basis of a résumé) and have current CPD records meeting RICS requirements. If you have the CRRPA credential you must also have five years’ relevant experience post-certification.

AssocRICS

If you hold a currently valid certification by the appropriate licensing authority of any State or government entity in the United States, in conformity with the rules set forth by the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation, as either a CRRPA or CGRPA you're eligible for direct entry to Associate membership of RICS in the Commercial Property Management pathway. You must successfully complete the RICS ethics module.

RICS Routes to Membership

RICS recognises a currently valid certification by the appropriate licensing authority of any State or government entity in the United States, in conformity with the rules set forth by the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation, as either a CRRPA or CGRPA equivalent to an RICS-accredited degree, meeting the academic requirements for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

The Appraisal Foundation, as defined above, is also approved for the Senior Professional Assessment.